UPY 2026 British Waters Wide Angle - Highly Commended

UPY 2026 British Waters Wide Angle - Highly Commended
'Turbulence'
Henley Spiers

What if the most impressive animal you could encounter in British waters wasn’t a fish or a whale, but a bird? That was exactly how it felt to me in the frigid sea at Britain’s northernmost point. The dark water was repeatedly shattered by the dives of dozens of northern gannets, plunging after their prey. Visibility vanished as the birds hit the surface with astonishing precision, streaking underwater in cascades of bubbles. My heart pounded with adrenaline as I scanned the turbid water, until the gaze of a gannet met mine, its blue-yellow eyes unmistakable even through the haze. The aim was to convey the explosive movement of the hunt using a slow shutter and intentional camera movement. I understood the technical settings required, but the gannets’ speed and unpredictability made success elusive. After many failed frames, this image emerged as the one that best captured the energy and intensity of the moment.

Judge's comment: Attitude and art come together in this dramatic image of one top predators in British waters.

Alex Mustard